Winter is the ideal time to go camping for individuals who enjoy the frigid beauty of nature. However, relying only on your tent for shelter from the chilly wind or heavy snowfall might make you unwell.
Because none of the tents come with such insulation that can prevent extreme cold weather alone. Furthermore, the weather forecast does not always come true.
So, relying on the weather forecast and on the manufacturer’s marketing words will not be ideal. End of the day, if the temperature drops 10 degrees, you’ll have to suffer.
For that, knowing how to make a tent warmer can make your camping comfortable. But if you don’t know how, please don’t worry; here we’ll go through several proven methods for making a tent warmer.
Let’s read on.
How To Make A Tent Warmer – 5 Magical Tips
To make your tent warmer, you will need to carry some extra material to protect it from the cold.
However, the tips we’ll provide below only will be effective for family/car camping. (Hiking or backpacking will be incompatible with a lot of gear)
Here are the magical tips:
#1. Choose A Good-Quality Tent; Ensure Right-Sizing
For a comfortable experience, while camping in winter, you must choose a good-quality tent. Buying a 4 season tent is recommended because it offers a better insulation system than a 3 or 2 season tent.
Also, you will have to buy a tent which is not that much large than the actual size you will need. Suppose you are only 4 people, make sure that you don’t buy a tent for 8 people. Because that extra space will need some extra period to get warmer.
#2. Always Carry A Tarp
Tarps are a great insulator. So, whenever you go camping in winter, make sure you’re carrying a tarp with you and you must learn how to set up a tarp.
Because hanging a tarp over your tent as a shelter will protect your tent from heavy wind or snowfall. As a consequence, your tent will keep you warm.
#3. Create A Windbreak With Snow Or Woods
To keep your tent warmer than the outside temperature, you can create a windshield with snow or wood if you are camping in such an area.
Because creating a windbreak will block the cold wind and keep your tent warm. But if you are not camping in such an area, you can skip this idea.
#4. Cover Your Tent With A Blanket
Now it’s time to cover your tent with a blanket because it will work as an extra shield. Even if you have set up your tarp over your tent, covering your tent with a blanket will definitely be a good idea when it is too cold outside.
Even if you have a 3 season tent, you can use it in winter with these tips!
#5. Focus On Your Ground Insulation
Note that the down insulation of your tent is another key to remaining cozy and warm, and it’s worth buying good down insulation for your tent set up if you want to camp in winter conditions.
But there are many new synthetic sleeping bags that are really warm, so do your homework beforehand.
#6. Pro Tip-Learn To Make Fire
If you plan to go camping in the winter, you need to know how to create a fire in the outdoors. Because fire provides rapid warmth and acts as a barrier to wild creatures.
So, carrying a spare lighter/matchboxes, or understanding how to make a fire without a lighter, would be excellent.
These are the five ways that you can follow to make a tent warmer, especially when you’re camping in a heavy cold winter.
But, How Can You Stay Warm Inside The Tent?
For an enjoyable winter camping experience, sometimes it is not enough to protect the tent from the weather outside; it is also necessary to maintain a warm condition inside the tent.
So, here are some practices you can do to stay warm inside your tent.
#1. Carry Extra Blankets
Summer nights in many places in the UK & USA may still be cold – don’t think that just because it’s July, you’ll just need a sleeping bag; always bring some more blankets in an emergency, especially when you have little kids.
On really chilly evenings, thick fleece-lined thermal blankets will make a significant difference.
#2. Bring Warm Clothes
Thermals may summon up memories of your grandmother, but if you’re camping in the early spring, fall, or, if you’re mad, the dead of winter, a good pair of long-johns or leather leggings and a long-sleeve thermal shirt are a necessity.
However, you can also carry some extra clothes as well.
#3. Layer Up Before You Feel Too Cold
You should always grab an additional layer of the blanket and warm cloth when the temperature begins to fall in the evening.
Never, and don’t wait until you’re really chilly to layer up; by then, it would be too late and will take much time to warm up anew.
#4. Always Keep A Hot Water Flask With You
Keeping a hot water flask will let you drink hot water, which will keep your boy warm. (And, of course, a kettle and stove).
Even if you don’t generally use a flask at home, in winter, the ability to get hot water can keep you comfortable.
#5. Exercise A Bit Before Going To Sleep
Even with more blankets, if you enter the sleeping bag chilly, you will probably remain cold for a while.
Before you go to bed, it would be ideal to drink something warm, go for a short walk or rush to the bathroom, or just perform some exercise to raise your core body temperature.
#6. Purchase Portable Warmer Or Carry A Few Disposable Heat Packs
Buying a portable electric warmer makes great sense if you’re camping with an EHU. However, like with mini gas warmers, you must exercise caution and adhere to all safety precautions. No heater should be kept on overnight or for extended periods of time.
Besides this, ensure you have some disposable heat packs with you when you camp because if you are extremely chilly, slipping a few disposable heat packs in the pocket of your jacket or sleeping bag may make a big difference.
#7. Buy A Decent Quality Sleeping Bag With Liners
Make sure you’re not sleeping in cold weather with a low-grade sleeping bag or one that’s just suited for summer usage (check the season rating; you want a 3 season bag). Remember that the easiest way to stay warm is to wear a mummy bag that fits snugly.
Also, consider purchasing a silk sleeping bag liner, which is meant to provide extra warmth. You can always use a fleece liner instead of a silk liner; it will aid in retaining heat and won’t be as delicate.
But note that it may be tempting to use a duvet on top of a less expensive or less restricted sleeping bag. It will not get you as much warmth as an advanced sleeping bag can keep you warm.
So those are some tips on remaining warm inside your tent. I hope you will find them effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use A Regular Tent For Camping In winter?
Though it is not recommended to use a regular tent for winter camping, you can use your regular 3 or 2 season tent, only when you know how to make a tent warmer.
That means you have to know and be able to apply the tricks that we have talk earlier in this discussion, to get a warm performance for your 3/2 season tent.
Are 4 Season Tents Best For winter?
Yes, the Four Season tents are superb for winter, but that doesn’t mean that only choosing a four-season tent can keep you warm in extremely cold weather.
Though good quality 4 season tents come with a slightly better insulation system than 3 and 2 season tents, you must know how to make your tent warm to stay comfortable in the wilderness.
Are Tarps Good Insulators?
No matter whether it is winter, monsoon, or summer, tarps work as a fantastic insulator against snow, rain, and heat.
A good quality polythene tarp with multi-layer woven mesh fabric can effectively cover the area of your tent or some other thing that you want to protect from the outside environment.
Final Words
Winter camping can become so much more enjoyable when you actually know how to make a tent warmer. It’s a lifesaving skill, especially when you can’t bear too much cold.
In this discussion, we shared with you some proven techniques which can make a tent warmer while you are camping out in winter. Among the techniques, using a tarp is always great for winter and monsoon camping.
Well, after reading on, we hope you will learn to apply the technique to your tent and never will shiver on a winter trip.
